7 Must-Read Wedding Dress Shopping Tips

wedding dress shopping tips from the expert

Often considered one of the biggest events in a woman’s life, wedding dress shopping should be a fun and joyous occasion, so don’t get stressed! Here we share a few handy tips to make sure you get the most out of the experience, all learned over many years finding that perfect wedding dress for every one of our brides.

Start Early Wedding Dress Shopping Early

This is one of the things that surprises everyone. You really need at least six to eight months to get your gown—and that’s if you’re really decisive. If you’re a picky shopper or don’t really know what you want, start looking eight to 10 months before your wedding. Give yourself plenty of time; if you put it off for too long, your selection of dresses could be limited or you might make a quick decision you may regret later. Once you’ve got your wedding dress, remember the alterations! Talk to our girls and they’ll give you all the information you need.

Figure Out What You Like

Take cues from your venue, the season and the time of day you’re getting married to help narrow down your dress style. Rule out fabrics and silhouettes that won’t work (a bulky ball gown is probably not the best fit for a midday beach affair) and consider what styles will flatter your shape. To help you search we have a large selection of our wedding gowns on our collection page for you to browse.

Let us Help You

Don’t eliminate anything at first glance. If one of our girls brings you something and says you should try, try it—even if you don’t initially love it or think it’s totally “you.” It’s possible to fall for a bridal gown you didn’t think you’d like or want. Not every dress looks great on a hanger, and you might have to let go of some preconceived notions and keep an open mind.

Shop At the Right Time

Taking a half day off to shop on, say, a Tuesday morning is absolutely worth it. Book an appointment by checking out our contact page and save yourself the rush of a Saturday. Another shopping trick: Don’t bring an entourage. It may be tempting to include all your friends in this experience, but any more than one or two adds up to too many clashing opinions!

Buy a Dress That Fits Now

Even if you’re planning on dropping a few pounds before your wedding, your body type isn’t going to completely change. Besides, it’s a lot easier to take a gown in than to try and make a too-small dress work.

Bring Your Accessories

We will have shoes and a slip on hand for you to try on with your gown, however you should still come prepared with a nude bra and underwear for the fittings. Also bring shoes with a similar height as you plan on wearing on the big day, so you can see how the dress falls with your heels. Wedding dress shopping top tip!

Trust Your Instincts

If you have to be reassured that the dress looks great on you, it’s probably not “the one.” If you can’t see yourself walking down the aisle in it, move on. When you find the right dress, you’ll know—you won’t want to put on anything else. Have some tissues handy; it will be an emotional moment!